Healing Springs

Part of Deeper Joy

Consider the healing springs to be a series of pools of different temperatures and mineral content. Some pools contribute to healing a hurt that an individual brings with them to the group. Other pools are big enough for the whole community to submerge in when damage has been done within or to the group. Others have beneficial waters that spill into streams or down waterfalls that spread healing beyond the community when there is hurt in our world.

What Happens at the Healing Springs?

The healing springs are also the place we go to fortify, grow our resilience, boost our immunity to the ills of the world, and do preventative self and community spiritual care. This is what the activities in this section address: the everyday/every week practices that help us feel resourced enough for the challenges we face.

What is the source of the springs? Connection. Connection to oneself, to the earth, to others, to one’s values and purpose, to the divine. What are the conditions for getting connected? Rest. The sacred pause in its many forms frees up the time and space for reflection, non-production, relief, reckoning, release, integration, softening, and/or strengthening.

At their best, these healing activities can be introduced as reliable tools in someone’s spiritual wellness toolkit. They may open doors and windows to show people what is possible when we prioritize our own spiritual wellness. As a facilitator, it’s important for you to be trauma informed when guiding people into the healing springs, that is: to center the individual’s choice and empowerment in engaging with the activities. To “force healing” on someone would be an oxymoron. Remember, too, your limited role as a facilitator. There are many things that are beyond your scope, and time spent in the healing springs should not be a substitute for therapy, medication or other healing modalities if that is needed.

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Healing Springs Activities

In This Section

Blessing/Prayer to/from Me
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: can be done individually or as a group, in person or virtually. If sharing out, create smaller groups depending on the comfort level of participants. Think of a time in the past when you felt lost. From your wise self, write a blessing or prayer for your younger self.
My Teacup and Saucer
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: can be done individually or as a group. This is a self care metaphor. The teacup is our body or capacity. The tea is our energy or input. What’s on the saucer is our output, what we have to give others. This metaphor suggests we need a full cup of energy and can give from the overflow!
Pleasure Feast / Feast of the Senses
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: Can be done individually or in a group in person. Considering peoples preferences, allergies and sensitivities, invite everyone to bring in a handful of things that delight their senses and indulge!
Snowball Not-Fight
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: in person groups of more than 3. Have everyone write down something they need to hear right now. Have everyone crumple up their pieces of paper and throw them around the room at each other. Invite each person to open some up and read them aloud or pass them to someone else to read.
Bedtime Story
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: more than 3 people in person. Prepare a room with comfortable places to sit and lay, and open space for participants to create their own cozy area. Invite everyone to a cozy story-reading. Encourage them to wear their pajamas or other cozy clothing and to bring stuffed animals/blankets.
Feelings and Weather
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: Any number, in person or online. Notice how your environment shapes mood and practice practical self-care as the group 1) identifies a list of factors that affect feelings and moods 2) reflect on what they can change and how to cope with what they can’t change.